COMMUNITY groups in Worcestershire have the chance to benefit from thousands of pounds worth of grants.

The Grassroots Grants Programme has a grant pot of £660,000 available to small community and voluntary groups in the county over the course of three years, lasting until March 2011.

The aim of the grants programme is to build on the capacity of small and emerging voluntary and community groups to deliver valuable services for the most disadvantaged communities and people in Worcestershire.

A spokesman for the charity said the grants start at £250 and range up to £5,000. He said: “We aim to support groups who are helping to sustain activities in their local community.”

Funding can be given for a wide range of activities from buying equipment, putting on a local event or workshop to the costs of attending a conference.

If you are a voluntary/community group, locally managed and based in Worcestershire, have a set of rules and a management committee, are predominately volunteer led with an average annual turnover of less than £20,000 and have a bank account then you could receive financial assistance.

Details on how to apply for funding are available at comfirst.org.uk or call Pauline Dumville at Community First on 01684 312730 for more details.